Modified Silicone-SAPO34 Composite Materials for Adsorption Thermal Energy Storage Systems

In this work, novel silicone-SAPO34 composite materials are proposed for applicationin adsorption thermal energy storage systems. The innovative composite materials were obtainedthrough a mold foaming process activated by a dehydrogenative coupling reaction between properlyselected siloxane compounds. Morphology analysis by optical microscopy and measurement ofthe mechanical properties of the foamed materials at varying zeolite content demonstrated a quitehomogeneous open-cell structure and good structural stability of the foam. Water adsorption isothermsof the adsorbent foams expanded in free space and inside paperboard were measured by a gravimetricadsorption apparatus, demonstrating that the presence of the polymeric fraction does not affect theadsorption capacity of the SAPO34 fraction added in the composite foam. Finally, main adsorptionand thermodynamic properties of the proposed foam have been compared with those of otheradsorbent materials, confirming the possible use of these new composite foams as adsorbent materialsfor adsorption thermal energy storage systems.